How Did Bismarck Come To Power?

King Wilhelm I became the new monarch of Prussia upon the death of his brother in the year 1861. The Prussian Diet (parliament) was increasingly liberal, and the new king was often in conflict with the Diet.

In the year 1862, despite the efforts of the king's ministers, he was reluctant to relent and the Diet did not want to authorise the funding for a proposal to reorganise the army. The king was convinced that Bismarck was the only man who could bail him out of this crisis.

Bismarck was an astute politician, but demanded that he be given sole control over foreign affairs. He was recalled to Prussia in September 1862 when the House of Deputies (Abgeordnetenhaus) rejected the budget. He was appointed minister-president and foreign minister by Wilhelm I on September 23, 1862.

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